South Carolina governor Henry McMaster this week signed legislation that requires anyone younger than 16 to complete a boater education course to operate vessels on the state’s waters. Adults do not need to have any training or education.
Effective Aug. 18, the law specifies that anyone born after July 1, 2007, needs to take a state-approved boater education course. Individuals who have completed a course in other states have reciprocity in South Carolina.
“With 30,000 miles of rivers and streams and the most beautiful coastline in the country, boating is a cherished pastime in South Carolina,” McMaster said in a statement. “By educating boaters and promoting responsible practices, we protect the lives of those who use our waterways and encourage more South Carolinians and visitors alike to enjoy South Carolina’s endless natural treasures.”
South Carolina state senator Chip Campsen (R) and representative Chris Wooten (R) spent three years working to help get the legislation passed. Additionally, grassroots efforts through Boating Safety South Carolina and the South Carolina Boating and Fishing Alliance also contributed to the legislation’s passage.
